Impact of Presenting Symptoms on Treatment Time and Outcomes in Acute Ischemic Stroke

This observational study aims to understand how the specific symptoms a person experiences at the start of an acute ischemic stroke affect how quickly they receive treatment and how well they recover.

In stroke care, rapid treatment is critical because delayed intervention can lead to more severe disability or death. Patients who experience "high urgency" or classic stroke symptoms, such as sudden paralysis, severe facial drooping, or loss of speech, tend to arrive at the emergency room very quickly because these signs are easily recognized by bystanders. In contrast, patients who experience "low urgency" or vague symptoms, such as dizziness, numbness, visual changes, or a new-onset headache, often delay seeking medical care. Because these vague symptoms can mimic other medical conditions, they can lead to delayed diagnosis and longer waiting times for specific stroke treatments.

The researchers will observe 120 adult patients admitted for a first-ever acute ischemic stroke. Participants will be categorized into two groups based on whether their initial stroke symptoms were highly urgent or vague. The study will track and compare both groups to evaluate:

* The time it takes for patients to arrive at the hospital and receive intervention therapies. * The patients' level of physical disability and independence in daily activities. * The patients' cognitive function. * The total length of the hospital stay, complication rates, and overall survival. Participants will be monitored from the time of their hospital admission through their discharge. To measure long-term recovery and functional outcomes, patients will also complete follow-up assessments at two weeks, one month, two months, and three months after leaving the hospital.

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Key information

Conditions

Acute Ischemic Stroke Brain Diseases Cardiovascular Diseases Central Nervous System Diseases Cerebrovascular Disorders Ischemic Stroke Nervous System Diseases Stroke Vascular Diseases

Age range

18 year and older

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Observational

Who can participate

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

Patients aged >= 18 years at the time of presentation.
Confirmed clinical diagnosis of acute first-ever ischemic stroke supported by objective neuroimaging findings via history case taking and emergency CT or MRI scans.
Hospital admission initiated within 48 hours of initial symptom onset.
Informed consent provided, signed, and dated by the patient or a legally authorized proxy representative.

Exclusion criteria

In-hospital stroke onset.
Diagnosis of a Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA) or presenting stroke mimics (e.g., complex migraines, severe hypoglycemia, conversion disorders, status epilepticus).
Pre-existing severe functional disability prior to the index stroke event, established as a baseline pre-stroke Modified Rankin Scale (mRS) score > 2.
Co-morbid advanced or terminal medical or neurological or psychiatric conditions with a documented clinical life expectancy of less than 6 months.
Incomplete medical charts, structural data gaps, or formal withdrawal on baseline assessment or on hospital stay assessment before discharge.

Treatment and study plan

Primary outcomes

Functional Dependence Assessed by the Modified Rankin Scale (mRS)

Time frame: 2 weeks after discharge

The degree of functional dependence and overall functional assessment of acute ischemic stroke patients will be estimated using the Modified Rankin Scale (mRS). Scores range from 0 to 6, where 0 represents no symptoms and 6 represents death, with higher scores indicating worse functional dependence.
Functional Dependence Assessed by the Modified Rankin Scale (mRS)

Time frame: 1 month after discharge

The degree of functional dependence and overall functional assessment of acute ischemic stroke patients will be estimated using the Modified Rankin Scale (mRS). Scores range from 0 to 6, where 0 represents no symptoms and 6 represents death, with higher scores indicating worse functional dependence.
Functional Dependence Assessed by the Modified Rankin Scale (mRS)

Time frame: 2 months after discharge

The degree of functional dependence and overall functional assessment of acute ischemic stroke patients will be estimated using the Modified Rankin Scale (mRS). Scores range from 0 to 6, where 0 represents no symptoms and 6 represents death, with higher scores indicating worse functional dependence.

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Assiut University

Other

Registry information

Official study title

Impact of Presenting Symptoms in Ischemic Stroke Onset on Time Treatment Window and Clinical Outcome of Acute Ischemic Stroke Patients

Important dates

Study start: 2026
Primary completion: 2027
Study completion: 2027
First posted: Aug 6, 2026
Registry last updated: Aug 6, 2026

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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